ClassCast Podcast Ep.080 features Doug Roberts, the founder and CEO of the Institute for Education Innovation (IEI), speaking with host Ryan Tibbens about empowering educators, supporting superintendents, and connecting innovative education entrepreneurs with the schools and students they want to serve. After starting his career as a history/social studies teacher, Doug filled a variety of roles before launching IEI, which is a unique organization designed to support superintendents. Doug has strong feelings about empowering educators; hiring, training, and trusting great teachers; and giving excellent educational vendors, large and small, a level playing field to compete for contracts in a variety of school settings. Doug's recent work with superintendents has led to the creation of the Supes' Choice Awards, a contest and award program that is the first of its kind. Listeners will find Doug's focus on high quality service, pragmatism, and supporting students to be honest and refreshing. If you've ever been curious about how superintendents network, connect, and learn, or if you've ever wanted to better understand the complexities and difficulties facing the top educators in districts across the country, you'll love this discussion. You can find Doug on Twitter and LinkedIn; IEI is also on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Table of Contents (*highlights)

0:00-8:40 -- Intro to IEI & Doug Roberts/ Advice for Education Entrepreneurs
8:40-10:44 -- The Value of Relationships w/ Students, Staff, & Vendors
10:44-21:03 -- The Impact of Scale: Big vs Small Schools & Businesses *
21:03-29:26 -- 2021, Optics, & Scrutiny: The Impact of Politics in Schools **
29:26-34:04 -- School Choice, Innovation, & Responsive Leadership
34:04-45:05 -- Doug's Ideal School: Empowering Educators **
45:05-50:44 -- The Purpose of School & Who Calls the Shots
50:44-59:02 -- Supes' Choice Awards & Engaging with Superintendents *
59:02-1:06:08 -- Wrap-Up & Doug's Book/Movie Recs

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Ep.080 -- Doug Roberts -- Institute for Education Innovation (IEI) & Empowering Educators